Watch After Hours

After Hours, directed by Martin Scorsese, is a darkly comedic, surreal ride through a night of chaos in New York City's SoHo neighborhood. The film follows the misadventures of Paul Hackett, a word processor who decides to break free from his mundane life and embark on a spontaneous night out on the town. As he makes his way to a bar in SoHo, Paul meets Marcy, an attractive but eccentric artist played by Rosanna Arquette. They hit it off, and Paul spontaneously agrees to go back to her apartment. However, things quickly take a turn for the bizarre when Paul realizes he left his money and keys in a cab. Marcy has no cash, and Paul is stranded in her apartment with no way to get home.

From there, Paul's night becomes a series of absurd and increasingly dangerous encounters. He encounters a range of eccentric characters, including a woman who speaks in a monotone voice played by Teri Garr, a bartender who refuses to serve him played by John Heard, and a vicious mob boss played by Catherine O'Hara. Along the way, Paul also endures a paranoid delusion, gets caught up in a vigilante scheme, and falls victim to a series of inexplicable coincidences.

Griffin Dunne's performance as Paul is pitch-perfect, capturing his character's growing bewilderment and desperation as the night wears on. Rosanna Arquette also shines as Marcy, playing her character's eccentricities with both humor and pathos. The film's supporting cast, including Verna Bloom as a waitress and Cheech and Chong as a pair of burglars, all bring their own unique brand of humor and energy to the film.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its impeccable pacing. After Hours is a non-stop rollercoaster ride that keeps the audience at the edge of their seats from start to finish. The plot is always twisting and turning, with new unexpected developments around every corner.

Another strength of the film is its use of the city of New York as a character in its own right. Scorsese and his team expertly capture the energy and grittiness of 1980s New York, turning the city into a surreal playground for Paul's wild night out. The film's atmospheric lighting and David Bowie-heavy soundtrack also help to create a dreamlike, otherworldly feel.

After Hours is also notable for its themes of alienation and paranoia, which feel particularly relevant in today's world. Paul is a relatable character precisely because he is so ordinary and unremarkable. His struggle to navigate the strange and hostile world of SoHo is an exaggerated version of the everyday struggles that many people face. The film's exploration of fear and mistrust of the other is also strikingly relevant in today's deeply polarized society.

In short, After Hours is a brilliant piece of filmmaking that has stood the test of time. Its combination of dark humor, surrealism, and suspense make it a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. Its themes of alienation and paranoia are as relevant today as they were in 1985. This is a must-see film for anyone who enjoys dark comedy, surrealism, or just a good old-fashioned cinematic rollercoaster ride.

After Hours is a 1985 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 90.